More than 40 Salford residents come together to help one of our most endangered birds.
Greater Manchester residents are celebrating the launch of one of the UK’s largest Swift Streets, a nestbox network created to help these iconic but threatened birds. Evidence shows that a lack of suitable nest sites is a contributing factor to this species’ sharp decline. For every 10 Swifts zooming through our skies in 1995, there were only around four in 2021.
People living on two neighbouring streets in Swinton, Salford, combined efforts to put up more than 100 specialist nest boxes on their own homes, helping to build a huge Swift neighbourhood. It will provide much-needed spaces for these birds to nest and breed.
With the boxes now all in place, the community celebrated with a homecoming event on Saturday 17 May – around the time these migratory birds are returning to our towns and cities to begin nesting and raising chicks. TV presenter and RSPB Ambassador, Megan McCubbin, helped to launch it.
Like thousands of others, Swinton resident Suzanne Pendleton found solace in Self Isolating Bird Club, a live-streamed daily nature diary, hosted by Megan and Chris Packham throughout lockdown. She began to take notice of the Swifts on her street, who’d arrived for the summer months.
A year later, while on bedrest after breaking her leg, Suzanne became even more fascinated by the Swifts’ aerial acrobatics, and delved deeper only to find the birds’ numbers have more than halved in recent years.
Discovering that a handful of Swifts nested on her street, Suzanne rallied her neighbours with leaflets and a community WhatsApp group, encouraging more and more people to pledge help. She also contacted the RSPB, who offered help to support the launch of a new Swift Street.
“I was overwhelmed by the local response with so many families keen to help our Swift population – we had over 100 box requests!” she said. “We are so privileged that these incredible urban birds choose our lane as their home and with their nesting places under threat, being able to install boxes is a wonderful opportunity.”
Learners from the Growth Company Education and Skills Centre in Trafford agreed to make the boxes, and Ryan Cawdron, a local roofer, put them up after they were painted and water-proofed by Suzanne’s Brownie group and local Scouts.
Funding for the Swift project has been made possible thanks to the support of players of Peoples’ Postcode Lottery.
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The Swift Streets are part of a wider and continued effort to transform Manchester into a Swift City.
Roshni Parmar-Hill, RSPB Community Engagement Officer, said: “By the end of the project in March 2026 we would really like to declare Manchester a Swift City, with a charter signed by residents, local politicians and community and conservation organisations highlighting the city’s pledge to protect the future of the birds.
“We’d also like to see the city commit to providing more nesting sites in the form of Swift boxes and the installation of Swift bricks on new build houses.”
RSPB Ambassador Megan McCubbin, who presents TV’s Springwatch and Animal Park, officially ’launched’ the new Swift Streets at the event in May.
“Swifts are hands-down one of our most incredible birds but they are facing some enormous challenges,” she explained. “Fewer insects and loss of nesting sites is really impacting their ability to raise young which is essential for the survival of any species.
“I can’t tell you how inspired it makes me feel when I hear stories of Swift supporters up and down the country coming together to take action to help this iconic bird. The efforts of this community are extraordinary and I’m thrilled to be involved in this launch!”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “It’s incredible to see the power of community action in Swinton come to life through this inspiring Swift Street project. This is a shining example of what can be achieved when communities unite to make a real and lasting difference for wildlife.”
Feeling inspired?
Put up an RSPB Swift nestbox in your street.
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